Bulldozer or scraper structure



July 23, 1946. H. H. wAsHBOND BULLDOZER OR SCRAPER STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 22, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet l N f/NE YM if@ Zr/@LM Swami. I

July 23, 1946. H. wAsHBoND V BULLDOZER OR SCRAPER STRUCTUREV Filed Feb. 22, 1944 Juy 23, i946. H. H. wAsHBoND BULLDOZER OR SCRPER STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 22, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 July 23, `1946. H. H wASHBOND 2,404,760

BULLDOZEROF( SCRAPER STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 22, 1944 4 sheets-sheet 4 :lll

Patented July 23, 1946 i UNITED STATES PATENT' OFFICE BULLDOZER oit SCRAPER STRUCTURE Harry H. Waslibond,V Springfield, 111., assignerA to The Baker Manufacturing Company, Springfield, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Y A Applicationv February 22, 1944, Serial No. 523,465

10 Claims.

' 1` This' invention relates to a bulldozer or scraper structure adapted for attachment t0` and control from a power Vehicle, such' as a tractor'.

im important object of the invention is to pro'- duce an ecient bulldozer' or scraper' whose operating parts aresupp'orted n the front end of a pOWei Vehicle in front ofY thedivers 'cab so that thedriver may readily observe the operation.`

Another object is to provide an arrangement in which the support for the blade elementV of the bulldozer or scraper embodies a pair of linkage quadrilaterals of which the blade element constitutes the front link.

A furthe'robject is` to provide an arrangement in which hydraulic power means moinited4 on the vehicle is connected to' apply power to the lower links of the` quadrilateral linkages for operation of' said blade element into various operating po# sitionsin a'substa'ntially vertical direction.

A- further object isv to yprovide an' arrangement whielrtliey lower links vof the' linkages constitutes pus-h'-ba"rsY hinged to the vehicle' and to' the lowerfportionl of the blade element,` and with a2 single hydraulic cylinder-piston structure mounted on the vehicle having leverage connec tion `with the lower links for exertion of power oni these# links in substantially vertical' direction.

Another object is to provide an arrangement inA which. brace. bars are extended fromthe pushlinkstoxthe outer ends ofthe blade element, and the leverage operated` by the hydraulic means isv connected with the p ushl links and the brace bars so that the power for vertically setting the blade element is applied closer tothe outer ends of the blade element.

Other and further objects of the invention will becomeY apparent to those skilled in the art from the` following detailed description on the annexed :sheets of drawings which disclose preferred embodiments of thelinvention.

Qn the drawings:

Eigure 1` is a side elevation of a power Vehicle with the bulldozer or scraper structure thereon;

Figure 2. is a plan view;

Figure 3 is an enlarged section on plane III-IIIY Figure 2; and

Eigure Liis a section on plane IV-IV Figure The power vehicle to which I have shown my improved bulldozer or scraper assembly applied is a tractor of the type in which the driving engine is in the rear of the vehicle body and thedrivers cab is inthe front. Briefly describing the tractor, it comprises a frame or body Ill at" the rear of which is mounted the engine frame Il and at thefront of which is located the drivers cab' l2 having `a seat I3 therein. A- re'ar axle housing it supports theV track frames l5, and transmission ineansnotY shown) with-inthe axle housing is driven by the engine for drive of the Shaft structure' it" which carries the driving sprockets il. Forwardly of the rear axlelfiousingg` is a crosssupport I8 which extends from the vehicle body to the track frames l5, and on the forward ends of the track frames are mounted the idler wheels li, endless tracks 2li engaging the sprocketwheels and idler wheels on opposite sidesof the vehicle. Trackrollers 2l on the track frame engage withI the lower runs ofthe tracks.

Secured to andi extending` forwardly fromthe vehicle body l" at opposite-` sides thereof are the beams 22 and 23 which near their front ends are spanned -by a cross-beam` 2li secured against the under sides thereoil This beam' structure serves as aV supportA for the bulldozer or scraper assembly. l

TheV blade element of the bulldozer comprises the transversely curvedblade 25 reinforced on its middle portion -by ribs `2li secured to its rear side, a knife edge structure 2l forming the lower portion of the blade. The blade element constitutes a front link of two linkagequadrilaterals 23A and 29. These linkage quadrilaterals are* alike and each comprisesH an upper link 30, a lower link 3| andan inner link 32; the blade element 2-5 form; ing a commonu outer link for the two linkages.A At their front ends' the upper and lower links 3B and 3l are hinged to the blade element 25 by pins 33 and 3"4, respectively. At their rear ends the upper links Zware pivoted to the upper ends'of the inner links32 by pins'. te', and at their lower ends the inner. links 32 are pivotedto: brackets 353 secured on the lowerV links 3l.Y The lower links extend rearwardly beyond. their connections with the inner links to be fulcr'umed on brackets 3l secured tol the `beams 22 and 23; Brace bars 38 extend between the lower links` 3l' and thee'nds of the bladei element 25 t'o stiffenlthe blade ele-V ment and form additional supportA therefor. As shown on FiguresZ` andlif, the hinge pins34rwhich extend throughI the inner ribs 26of the blade' 25 are extended'l laterallyl outwardly through'V outer ribs 26* to receive-the front ends-cf the-bracebars 33 to hingeconnect'them-with the blade eler'nent.`

On the V forward ends oft-he beam 22; zii-brackets 39 are secured, links-4 being pivoted at their front ends tothe-brackets as-indicate'datM and at their rear ends beingpivoted to' corre-V SpdndingY inner links32 as indicated atl?. These` lnks'll hold the links of thelinkageqlllatiii'lalt-` rake of the blade element from the perpendicular.

^ As best shown on Figure 2, plates 43 span and are secured to the brace bars 38 and the lower links 3| and on these plates brackets 44 are mounted. Bars 45 are pivoted at their lower ends to the brackets 44 and at their upper ends are pivoted to L-.-shaped levers 46 which extend rearwardly and receive at their rear ends a fulcrum rod 4l extending between and journaled in the upper ends of brackets 48 mounted on the beams 22 and 23. A spacer tube 49 receives the rod 41 and extends between the brackets, as clearly shown on Figure 4. Pins 50 extend through the outer ends of the rod 4l adjacent to the outer sides of the brackets to hold the rod in place.

The beam 24 has upstanding ears 5i.' Acylin; i

der 52 has the lug 53 extending down between the ears5l to be hingedfthereto by a pin 54. The levers, .45 are connected at their bends by a rod 55, a spacer tube 56receiving the rod and extending between the levers 4S. tending Yfrom the piston (not shown) in the cylinder projectsat its outer end into the opening 58 in thespacer tube 5 6 to receive and to be fulcrumedtothe rod 55. l

Hydraulic fluid conductors 59 and 60 extend from the lower and upper ends of the cylinder to a valve structure V for which a suitable -control C is provided Yfor operation by the driver in the cab. From a pump P fluid is delivered under hydraulic pressure through a conductor `in't'othe valve structure [or now to either end of the vcylinder by the setting of the valve V by the control C. -A reservoir R supplies the fluid to theV pump P through conductor 6 I a (Fig. 2) i Whenfthe'vehi'cle is driven forwardly for operation of the scraper structure, the lower links 3l will function Vas push beams for engagement element to maintain 'the proper tilt or rake there-v y of from the perpendicular.

On Iligure 3 the full lines show th'e scraper structure in an intermediate position. If it is desired to lower the scraper structure, the valve V isset by thecontrol C for iiow of hydraulic ilud through the conductor 6D into the upper` end of the cylinder for inward movement of the piston, and this movement of the piston is transmitted through the rod 55 to the levers 46 whose downward swing is transmitted through the bars to the push links 3l for downward `movement of the scraper structure, the short dot lines on Figure 3 showing the down position of the scraper structure. If it is vdesired to raise the scraper structure, the valve is set for flow of hydraulic huid through the conductor 59 to the lower end of the cylinder for upward swing of the levers 46 and upswing o f the push links 3|,A the longr dot lines on Figure 3 showing the upper portion of the scraper structure. With the blade elementy supported and guided by the linkage quadrilaterals, theblade element will substantially retain the same tilt or rake through its scraping range above and below the tractor ground line and will tilt forwardly above the scraping range to more freely discharge dirt. Thus while the blade will move substantially in a vertical line when swung to Vits various scraping positions, it is preferably' tilted above the scraping range. For example the blade rake controlling links 30, 32 and 40 are preferably arranged so that they will hold the blade vertical 4 through a scraping range from about 142 inches below tractor ground line to about 12 inches above ground line and then tilt the blade forwardly about 15 as it rises above the scraping range. With the hydraulic power transmitting connection shown, the bars 45 will, during swing of the scraper structure into various positions, transmit the hydraulic power substantially inevertical direction to the push links of the linkage quadrilaterals, thus utilizing to a maximum extent the hydraulic power from the hydraulic ram or cylinder-piston structure.

Some of the push power applied by the vehicle to the push links will be applied to the ends of the blade element through the brace bars 33, and with the brackets 44 mounted on the cross plates 43, the hydraulic power transmitted through the bars-45 to the brackets will be borne conjointly by the push links and the brace bars. The push force against the blade element by the vehicle and the hydraulic force for vertical setting ofthe. blade element is thus distributed along the made element by the connections therewith of the pushA links and the Ibrace bars. I am'aware that many changes may be made and numerous details of construction may be` varied through a wide range without departingl from the principles of this invention, and 1 therefore do not purpose limiting the patent granted heli-:ecn otherwise than necessitated by the priori ar I claim as my invention: A l 1. A bulldozer structure'for application at the front of a power vehicle, comprising' a blade element, push bars at opposite sides Vof the vehicle body hinged thereto and extending forwardly therefrom and connected with said blade element Y brace bars extending diagonally outwardly from said push bars and connected at their outerends with said blade element, asupport spanning Leachv push bar and itsl brace bar and secured thereto, brackets on said supports, a lever structure fulcrumed at its inner end on` the lvehicle' body,

power transmission bars betweenthe outer l,end

of saidlever structure and said brackets, a hydraulic power device on the vehicle body connect.. edwith said` lever structure at an intermediate point thereof for swinging said leverstructure vertically for transmission of the hydraulic power through said ytransmission bars and brackets to said push bar structures for vertical swing thereof for operation setting of the blade element;

2. In combination with arpower vehicle comprising a body and propulsion means therefor, a bulldozer structure located in front of the Vehicle body and comprising a blade element, push bars at opposite sides of the vehicle hingedat -th'eir rear ends thereto and extending forwardly therefrom for hinge connection with the lower portion' of saidblade element, a linkage assembly connecting the upper portion of said blade element with said push bars, guide links between said linkage assembly and the vehicle body forco-operation to determine the rake of the blade element when moved vertically with said push bars', a lever structure fulcrumed at its inner end on the vehicle body, transmission bars depending from the forward end of said lever structure to said push bars, and a hydraulic power device mounted on the vehicle body and connected with said lever` structure at an intermediate point thereof whereby, upon swing of said lever structure by said'` l hydraulic device, hydraulic power willbe transl-r mi'tte'd through said transmission barsto said'Vl a body and laterals setting of said blade element.

3. In combination with a tractor comprising propulsion means,therefor, a bulldezer attachment for the front of the tractor comprising a blade element, a support for said blade embodying a pair of linkage quadrilaterals of which said blade element constitutes the outer link, the lower links of said linkage quadrilaterals being hinged at their rear ends to the tractor body Vto constitute push bars for the blade element, guide links between said linkage quadriand the tractor bodyfor co-operating with the linkage quadrilaterals to determine the rake of the blade element during vertical movement thereof, a lever structure fulcrumed at its inner end on the tractor body, transmission bars depending from the forward end of said lever structure to said linkage quadrilaterals, and a hydraulic power device mounted on the tractor body and connected with said lever structure at an intermediate point thereof whereby, upon swing of said lever structure by said hydraulic device, said push bars will be swung for operation setting of said blade element under control of said linkage quadrilaterals and guide links- 4. In combination with a tractor having supporting beams extending forwardly from its body and intermediate the tractor wheels, a bulldozer structure comprising a blade element, push bars pivoted Vat their inner ends on said supporting beams and connected at their outer ends with the blade element, brackets on said supporting beams, arms pivoted to and extending forwardly from said brackets and links extending down from the forward ends of the arms and connected with said push bars, a rigid cross connection between said arms intermediate their ends, a supporting plate mounted on and extending between said supporting beams, and a hydraulic power device extending between said supporting plate and said cross connection for effecting vertical swing of said arms and thereby vertical swing of said push bars and with the blade element thereon.

5. A bulldozer structure for application at the front of a power vehicle, comprising a blade element, push bars at opposite sides of the vehicle body hinged thereto and extending forwardly therefrom and connected with said blade element, brace bars extending diagonally outwardly from said push bars, a plate spanning each push bar and its brace bar and rigidly secured thereto, a hydraulic ram carried by the vehicle, a frame fulcrumed at its inner end on the vehicle body and having a cross bar intermediate its ends acted on by said ram for vertical swing of said frame, and links extending downwardly from the outer end of said frame and pivoted at their lower ends respectively to said plates for transmitting the swing of said frame to said push bars.

6. In combination a tractor, push beams pivoted on the tractor extending forwardly therefrom, an implement blade extending across the front end of the tractor having its lower portion pivoted on the push beams, first links pivotally connected tothe upper portion of the blade and extending rearwardly therefrom toward the tractor, second links pivoted to the rear ends of the first links and to the push beams, first arms pivoted on the push beams and extending upwardly therefrom, second arms pivoted on the first arms and extending rearwardly therefrom, pivots oonnecting the rear ends of the second arms to the tractor, a hydraulic jack interposed between the tractor and the second arms for raising and loweringthe push beamsand blade relative to the tractor, and meansA connecting 4the second links and tractor to hold the blade in the same vertical plane as it is raised and lowered throughout its tilting range and-to tilt the upper end of the blade `forwardly as the blade is raised above its tilting range. Y

'7. In combination, atractor having an operators cab at the front end thereof and an engine behind the cab, an implement blade extending across the front of the tractor in closely spaced relation to said operators cab, push beams on each side ofthe tractor pivotally connected` at their rear ends to the tractor and at their front ends to the lower end of the implement blade, upper push links on opposite sides of the tractor pivoted at their front ends to the upper end of the blade, fulcrums for said upper push links, means responsive to raising and. lowering of the blade for shifting said fulcrums relative to the push beams to control rake of the blade, levers on opposite sides of the tractor pivoted at their rear ends to the front end of the tractor and projecting forwardly therefrom, a rigid power transmission link pivoted on the front end of each lever and depending therefrom, means pivotally Y connecting the lower ends of the power transmission links with the push beams, double acting hydraulic jack means pivoted on the front end of the tractor and connected to the levers intermediate the ends of the levers for positively raising and lowering the blade relative to the tractor, and means in the cab of the tractor for operating said jack means whereby an operator in said cab `will have full vision of material engaged by the implement blade during scraping operation and can more efficiently control the position of the blade.

8. In combination, a tractor having an operators cab at the front end thereof, an implement blade extending across the front end of the tractor closely adjacent said operators cab, push beams pivoted on the front end of the tractor in spaced relation adjacent the sides of the tractor and extending forwardly therefrom for a relatively short distance, pivots connecting the forward ends of the push beams with the lower end of the implement blade, relatively short push links overlying the push beams pivotally connected to the upper portion of the blade to cooperate with the push beams for holding the blade in upright position, fulcrums for said push links, means responsive to raising and lowering of the blade for shifting said fulcrums relative to the push'beams to control rake of the blade, lift levers fulcrumed on the front end of the tractor and extending forwardly therefrom, rigid power transmission links pivoted on the front ends of said levers and pivotally connected to the push beams, double acting hydraulic jack means pivoted on the front end of the tractor and connected with said lift levers intermediate the ends thereof in spaced relation from the lever fulcrums and power transmission links to swing the levers for raising and lowering the blade relativeto the tractor, and a valve in said operators cab controlling fluid flow to said hydraulic jack meansk upper linkage connected to said guide link, said lower push link, and the upper portionl of the blade, a lift lever fulcrumed on the vehicle, a

-hydraulic jack pvoted on the vehicle and pivotallyconnected vto the lift lever for swinging the leveriabout its fulcrum, and a power transmission link pivoted on the lever in spaced relation from the fulcrum and jack pivot for raisingand lowering the .blade in response to swinging movements of the lever, said pivotal mounting for the jacks effecting straight-line application of force to the lever in all' positions of the lever throughout. its arc of travel, and said guide linkcontrolling said upper linkage for regulating the rake ofthe blade.

10. In combination' with a propulsion vehicle, an implement bladel extending across the front of the vehic1e,a lowerpush link pivotally` connect- Aing the vehicle and lower portion of the blade, an 

